AIADA: August Auto Sales Weaker Than Expected For International Nameplate Dealers

Alexandria, VA – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) released August 2011 sales figures for the international nameplate automobile industry. AIADA represents America’s approximately 10,000 international nameplate franchises whose brands accounted for 51.5% of all vehicles sold in the United States in last month.

Overall sales, including domestic brands and unadjusted for business days, were up 7.5% from August 2010 and 10.5% year to date. Sales were up 1.2% from July 2011. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for light vehicle sales in July was estimated by AutoData Corp. at 12.12 million units, up from 11.54 million units in August 2010

Despite upbeat analyst predictions, production shortages caused by the March earthquake in Japan, plummeting consumer confidence, and a powerful east coast hurricane all conspired to keep sales flat in August. Japanese brands were particularly hard hit. Honda’s sales were down 24.6% from a year ago, Subaru was down 6.3%, and Toyota saw a drop of 13.6%. Nissan was the exception with a sales improvement of 22.4%. Even unstoppable Korean automaker Hyundai saw sales decelerate in August; inventory shortfalls slowed its growth to 9.1%.

Overall, international brand sales were down 0.6% from August 2010, but up 6.4% year to date. Some of the biggest gains last month were seen by Kia (up 26.9%) and Volvo (up 17.4%). Domestic automakers, lifted by Japan’s production issues, also saw gains, up 17.7% for the month and 15.4% year over year.

“A number of factors, including the timing and trajectory of Hurricane Irene, contributed to August’s flat sales,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “In September, a return to normal inventory levels by Japanese brands combined with Americans’ bottled-up demand for cars should create an improvement in sales.”

In August, international brands sold 551,991 vehicles, down from 555,383 in July. Asian nameplates accounted for 42.6% of the overall market, down from 42.8 in July. European nameplates had an 8.9% share, down from 9.6% in July. Domestic brands finished June with 48.5% of the market, up from 47.6 in July.

Established in 1970, AIADA is and continues to be the only association whose sole purpose is to represent America’s 10,000 international nameplate automobile franchises that sell and service the following brands: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. These retailers have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local communities they serve, providing more than 500,000 American jobs.